System of water distribution.



L. W. CHUBB,

SYSTEM OF WATER DISTRIBUTION.

APPLICATION FILED 05c. 10, 1914.

mamm Emma NW, 20, 191?.

ATTORNEY PATENT @FFWE.

LEWIS V7. CHUBB, OE EDGEWQOD BARK, PENNSYLVANIA.

svsrnrr or warns prsrnrsurron.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pwhgntqgfl Nqyv, 2 03, 1917,

applicationfilecl December 10, 1914. Serial No. 876,395.

. buildings, with particular reference toindependent systems of hot water and cold water distribution and to means for obviating the freezing of water in such systems during periods ofcold weather.

' One of the objects of my invention is to provide a system of distribution of the character indicated which shall be simple and inexpensive in arrangement and construction, effective and reliable in operation, and which shall be es ecially adapted to accomplish the desired results without necessitating any manipulation, adjustments or in convenience of any sort to the occupants of the building, or interfering in any way with the normal operation of the distributing systems.

Another object ofmy invention to provide means for interconnecting hot water and cold water systems of the type mentioned in such manner that under normal conditions a thermal circulation of water is effected throughout the entire combined system, whereby the freezing of water is prevented and hotwater is always immediately available at the hot water faucets. Moreover, it is a further object to provide means for automatically cutting as the circulation and isolating the respective systems, in order to'prevent a mixture of hot and cold water in the event that water is drawn from either of the systems, andin order thatthe systems shall at all times be capable of furnishing hot or cold water as-desired.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide such a systemof water distribution as has been set forth, which shall be adapted for successful operation in connection with heating apparatus of the instantaneous type, and incidentally to improve the construction and operation of instantaneous heaters and to make provisions whereby heaters'of this character shall be adapted to continuously supply a small amount of heat to at least a portion of the water traversing them in order that a continuous circulation is rendered possible.

in Patent 1,108,550, filed January 15, 1913, and granted l-iugust 25, 1914, to me, I have disclosed a system of this general character, but, in employing particular system, it is incumbert upon the occupants of the house to manipulate certain valves which are located in remote parts of the house in order to permit of the water circulation, and also to restore the normal water distribution.

Furthermore, this prior system is inoperative with any form of instantaneous heater with which I am familianby reason of the lack of a continuous supply of heat that is requisite for the thermal circulation.

According to my present invention, 1 provide an automatic double acting valve in the pipe, or pipes, which interconnects the respective systems, and the construction of this valve is such that while it permits a slow thermal circulation, it is adapted to automatically close, in the one direction or the other, whenever a predetermined rapid flow of water through it is effected by reason of drawing off water from any faucet or other outlet associated with either system. Thus, when water is drawn, the systems are completely separated and hot or cold water is obtained, as the case may be. There can be no mixture of the water which would result in a flow of tepid water, irrespective of the particular system from which it is delivered.

My improved system is not only adapted to obviate the difficulties and secure the bone 'sirable feature is secured with the entailment of minimum expense, as the necessary piping and fittings are materially less than those required forhouses in which continuously clrculating hot water systems are 1nstalled.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanymg draw ng of which F gure 1 1s a diagrammatic View of a portion of a .dwelling-house, or other building, provided "with a system of water distribution embodying my invention: Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the heating apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, partially in sec tion and partially in elevation, of an automatic valve shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of heating apparatus, and Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of a further modification of a heating device which may be employed in connection with my invention. 7

Referring .to the drawing, a dwelling house, or similar structure, having a cellar I or basement 1 andia plurality of floors 2 and 3, is provided with a hot water system a and a cold water system '5 which receive their supply of water from a common source or main 6 through a meter 7 anda feed pipe 8.

Associated with the hot water system 1 is a heating apparatus 9 which, in the broadest aspect ofmy invention, may constitute any form of apparatus for continuously heating at least a portion of the water in the system 4:. For illustrative purposes, I haveshown the heating apparatus 9 as embodying a. type of so-called instantaneous heater in which thesnpply of water is cut off at all times when water is not being drawn from the "system. I

For. a detailed description of the apparatus 9, reference may be had to Fig.2 in which is shown an instantaneous heater comprising a main water coil 12, an auxiliary water coil 13, 'a main gas burner 14 for heating the-main coil 12, and an auxiliary pilot light or burner 15 which is lighted at all times and serves both to ignite the main burner 14 and to continuously impart heat to the water contained within the auxiliary water coil 13.. The auxiliary water coil 13 is connected in multiple relation around the main water coil 12. The supply of water to the main coil 12 is received from the common feed pipe 8 through an automatic valve 17 which is mechanically associated with a similar valve 18 that serves to govern the admission of gas from a. supply pipe 19 to 'or port 24 adjacent thereto.

of uncovering and covering the port 24. spring 26 1s employedfor maintamlng said the main burner 14. l

The automatic water valve 17 comprises -a tubular casing 21 having'an enlarged upper chamber 22. X Vithin the casing 21 is disposed a movable valve'23 in the form of a hollow cylinder which is closed at its upper end and is provided with a side opening The movable valve 23 is adapted to be raised and lowered within the tubular casing 21 for the purposi ;results may be used.

ever the movable valve 23 is raised in posltlon. The auxlliary .water coil-13 1s con-.

n'ected to the lower end of the tubular casing 21 and, therefore, is in communication with the supply or feed pipe 8 at alltimes. When y no water isbeing drawn from the hot water similar view of a modified form of valve,; system 4 through the water coil 12, the pres-' I sure onthe opposite sides of the movable valve 23 is balanced, and, hence, said valve is 'held closed. However, if water is drawn from the system, the pressure on the upper end of the valve 23 is relieved, andthe resulting unbalanced pressures cause said valve to be raised to uncoyer the port 24'and t opermit the supply of'water-to the system4.; I v 1 Thegas valve 18 is similar i'n general' construction tothewa'ter valve 17, except that it is mechanically associated'therewith by meansof astem28 and is actuated thereby. The main burner l elcoin-municates withthe upper end 22$"of the'valve' 18 and receives a {supply of gas only when said valve-occupies -1tsraised "position, in which a port.

24 is uncovered and opened. 7 The auxiliary burner or pilot light 15' isassociated with the lower end of the casing 22 and is continuouslysupplied with'gas. W

Under normal conditions of operation when no water is drawn from the "system, the valves 17 and 18are both closed and-the pilot light 15 ispermitted'to burn continuously to supply a small portion of heat to the water contained in and passing through the auxillary water C011 13. Thus, the water of the system a is heated at a slow rate and i a continuous thermal ClI'CUlEltlOII thereof is effected, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. When the automatic water valve 17 1s opened by reason of'the drawing of water from thesystem', it actuates the gas valve 18 into its'open position to permit the supply of; gas to the main burner l l, which gas is immediately ignited by the'constantly burning pilot light 15 and thereafter serves coil 12. Obviously, any other types of water and gas valvesto accomplish the same Again referring to-Fig. 1, a sink 30 having a hot water faucet 3l and a cold water water system 5 by means of branch pipes 33 and. 34:, which are interconnected beneath the faucets 31 and 32 bymeans of a pipe 35 and an automatic valve 36, which will be hereinafter described.

to supply heatto the water contained with- 1n and traversmg through the main water A wash bowl- 38 is located upon the-floor water systemt inaccorda'nce with customlike construction and each comprises a casing having a plurality ofenlarged chanr bers 46 and 47 that are connected by a pas sage 48. The several chambers 46 and 47 are connected to portions of the interconnecting pipe 41. Movable valve members 56 and 51 are disposed within the respective chambers 46 and 47 and are mechanically associated by means of a rod or stem 52. A central portion 53 of the casing 45 which is interposed between the chambers 46 and 47 and which is provided with the'passage 48 is also provided with shoulders 54 and Seated upon the shoulders 54 and and surrounding the stemor rod 52 are a-plurali'ty of springs 56 and 57 that respectively engage the respective valve members and 51 and serve to maintain said members in a central position, as shown in Fig. 3; In this position, communication is permitted between the chambers 46 and 47 through the passage 48 and, therefore, a flow of fluid therethrough may be established as long as the rate of flow is insuflicient to actuate the connected valve members 50 and 51 in one direction or the other to close the passage 48. 7

If the rate of flow exceeds that for which the springs 56 and 57 are adapted, it is clear that the connected valve members 50 and 51 are moved to effect the closure of the pas- 's'age.

tem is as follows: Heat is continuously and slowly imparted to the water within the auxiliary water coil 13 of the heater 9, and, by reason thereof, a thermal circulation is continuously eifected throughout the entire combined systems 4 and 5whereby the water is prevented from freezing and hot water is quickly available. If, under these conditions, the faucet 39is opened to draw hot water from the system, the pressure on the adjacent side of the automatic valve 36 is reduced and the resulting rapid flow of water from the cold water system 5 through said valve immediately eifect-s its closure. Therefore, the supply of cold water is cut off and hot water is at once delivered from the faucet 39. Inasmuch as a description of the operation of the instantaneous heater 9 has already been given, no further exposition thereof is deemed necessary.

As soon as the faucet 39 is again closed, balanced pressures are obtained on the op posite sides of the valve 36 and, therefore,

he springs 56 and 57 return the associated valve members 50 and 51 to their normal central position, thereby permitting the slight thermal circulation to be resumed.

through the coils 12 and 13.

It is evident, therefore, a continual circulation of water through the entire system is eflected which prevents freezing, and. that the respective hot water and cold water systems 4 and 5 are isolated whenever water is drawn from either system.

In certain instances it may be desirable to employ amodified form of heater of the instantaneous type in which the supply of water is never cut oil. Such a heater is illustrated in Fig. to which reference may now be had. In this apparatus, the main water coil, 12 and the auxiliary water coil. 13 are connected in series relation and receive a supply of water continuously from the feed pipe 8. The pilot light 15 located directly beneath the auxiliary coil 13 and continuously imparts heat to the water contained therein or passing through it, while the main burner 14 is adapted to receive a supply of gas from asupply pipe 19 through a valve 20 which act-i'iated to its open position only when water is drawn The valve 26 embodies a movable valve member 60 which is mechanically connected to a diaphragm 6]. by means of a stem 62. The diaphragm 61 forms a part of a pressure device 6;) which communicates with the main feed pipe 8.

Under normal conditions when no water is being drawn, the pressure within the device 63 is suilicient to force the diaphragm 61 downwardly and maintain the valve member 60 in its closed position whereby no is supplied to the main burner 14. However, when water is drawn through the coils 12 and 13, the pressure within the device 63 is reduced and the diaphragmGl and valve member 60 are raised from their initial positions, whence the gas is admitted to the burner 14 and is at once ignited by the pilot light, after which the main coil 15 is heated.

From the foregoing lileseription, it is man't fest that the type of instantanmus heater shown in Fig. 5 is applicable tothe general system of distribution hereinbcfore set torl'h. since it serves to supply heat at all times to the water in the hot water system 4.

In Fig. 6, an ordinary form of a continuously operative heater is illustrated, which comprises a main water tank 65 and a heating device 66 by means of which heat is cen tinuously imparted to the "ater contained within the tank 65. Obviously, this form of heater is also adapted to be used with the distributing system set forth.

Referring to Fig. 4, a modified form of automatic valve is shown, which comprises a main casing 68 having an enlarged central chamber 69 in which is disposed a pivotally mounted movable valve member 70. The member 70 normally is suspended vertically and, in this position, a slight flow of fluid through the chamber 69 is permitted. However, when the flow becomes excessive the pivotally mounted valve member 7 0' is moved in one direction or the other to cut of]? the flow and close the communication through the valve. Thistype of valve may be employed in lieu of the valves 36 and 36.

Although I have shown and described my invention as embodying more or less specific structural details and arrangement and location of parts, it is evident that many inodifications may be effected therein without de parting from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a plurality of water distributing systems and means associated with the respective systems for drawing ofi water, of normally open interconnecting means joining said systems and automatic means associated therewith for closing said interconnecting means when water is drawn from either of said systems.

2. The combination with a plurality of water distributing systems-and means associated with the respective systems for drawing 01? water, of interconnecting means joining said systems for normally permitting a flow of water between said systems in either direction, and means associated with said interconnecting means for closing saidinterconnecting means under predetermined conditions of flow in either direction.

3. The combination with a plurality of water distributing systems and means associated with the respective systems for drawing ofi" water, of interconnecting means for permitting a circulation of water between said systems, and a normally open automatic double acting valve associated with said interconnecting means for closing said means in accordancewith the direction and rate of the water circulation.

i. The combination with a hot-water and a cold-water system, and valves associated with the respective systems, of means for interconnecting said systems, and means independent of said valves for closing said interconnecting means when water is drawn from any of said valves.

5. The combination with a hot-water system and a cold-water system receiving water from a common source, and a plurality of valves respectively associated with said systems, of common meanslfor establishing acommunication between said systems, and automatic means associated with said communicating means for closingsaid means when water is drawn through any of said valves;

6. The combination with a'hot-water system and a cold-water system receiving water from a common source, and a plurality of valvesrespectively, associated with said syswith said systems for normally permitting a 7 circulation of water through said 1 systems, and means for preventing said circulation when water is drawnv through any of said valves. p r

8. The combination with a hot-water system and a cold-water system receiving-water from a common supply, and a pluralityof I valves respectively associated with ends of said systems, of means interconnecting said systems on the supply side of said valves for permitting a thermal circulation of warm water through both systems for.

preventing freezing, and means associated with said interconnecting means and independent of said valvesfor closing said interconnectingmeans to prevent the circulation when any of said valves is opened to draw water. i t I V I r 9. The combination with a hjot-water and a cold-water distributing system receiving water from a common source and means for interconnecting said systems, of automatic means forisolating said systems when water is-dra wn from either of them.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub scribed my name this 9th day of Dec,, 1914.

. LEWIS XV. CHUBB.

Witnesses: r

' B. B. HINES,

-LEILA OUNNINGHABL' Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

